#Friday

[@Heyreneesews]

These problems you have are most busty women’s problems. I’m like you. I have a sway back and larger than a B bust. I really love watching your process. Thank you for sharing!❤❤❤

[@pollysews]

You're welcome, Renee. I'm glad to hear from someone who has the same body type I do. Sometimes I feel like the only one.

[@sewlovemydogs]

Sending you positive thoughts for your results. What a wonderful Dr you have. 🌹❤️

[@pollysews]

Thanks you so much for your kind words and support Heidi. It truly means a lot and makes me feel so much better.❤️

[@lynnshepard7485]

Hi Carol. Oh my, am I ever enjoying your blouse journey! You’re such an inspiration. As a 2 time cancer survivor, I’m here to tell you that whatever the biopsy results, you are strong, you are beautiful, and you can conquer this! Sending much love and many prayers today and every day. 💗

[@pollysews]

Hi Lynn! I was so happy to see your comment. I always love chatting with you. But wow, I didn't realize you were a two time cancer survivor. You're the inspiration and stong one!!! I hope you're doing ok and feeling good these days. 💕

[@bridgetconner2392]

Yellow top is super cute...try doing sleeveless - use the sleeves to cut a facing for the sleeveless armholes and cut a bias strip (checks on the diagonal as a design feature) to fill in the sides and give yourself more room.

[@pollysews]

Great idea! Thanks, Bridget.

[@jburd07]

Ypu are so wonderfully positive. HUGS from afar

[@pollysews]

Thank you, Jayne. I appreciate your kind hugs from afar!

[@rachelrea5150]

I’m so very sorry to hear about your health concerns. Keeping you in my thoughts. I really like your Patinas-I toiled the pattern, made lots of adjustments to it…and now have misplaced it 😂. Now I’m working on my second Closet Core Nicks blouse. I like it but I prefer the Rhapsody-I’ve made at least four. Take care, Carol!

[@pollysews]

Lol - Thanks Rachel. I had to laugh when you said you misplaced your pattern. I've done things like that too; mostly because my sewing room is always a little messy. Let me know how your Nicks blouse turns out. I've seen the pattern and really like the dress as well as the top. You're the one that pushed me over the edge with the Rhapsody. I had heard so many good things about it, but then you mentioned how much you loved it too, that was it for me - SOLD! What type of fabric did you make yours out of? The pattern states flowing, drapey fabric. Did you make any with a stiffer fabric like a cotton? Good to hear from you!

[@rachelrea5150]

@@pollysews I’ve made one Rhapsody out of cotton voile, two more out of cotton crinkle gauze, and two from rayon, which have much better drape. My favorite is an Atelier Brunette rayon. The Nicks top I’m finishing today is an Art Gallery rayon. I really like this pattern, especially how the sleeve is pleated into the elastic casing rather than just gathered. And I like the defined V-neckline, which I raised an inch. Looking forward to seeing your Rhapsodies!

[@lucillemizuno671]

I think the beach dress would look great

[@pollysews]

Thanks Lucille! Now I'm motivated to start working on it. I secretly thought it would look great too made up in that material so I'm glad you think so too. My office will be closing for the week of May 7th so I'm hoping to get a lot of sewing done that week - hopefully making the Aria shirt dress. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate it so much - it lifts my spirits!

[@ChristineSewsALot]

I think the word you are leaving ok’ing for is vent. I love the sagebrush.

[@pollysews]

Hi Christine! I can't believe you watch and even comment on my little channel! I'm so honored! Love your channel - been watching it for quite a while - and I think your Patina toile looks perfect. I'm waiting to see it in the nice fabric!

[@ChristineSewsALot]

@@pollysews you are so sweet. I enjoy your videos and find them so helpful.

[@kimdimond6921]

Carol life is throwing you some curveballs but aren’t we so lucky to have sewing as a stress reliever! Love the Patinas.

[@pollysews]

Thanks Kim! I have to admit I feel totally peaceful and "at home" when I'm in my sewing room. Are you currently working on a sewing project? If so, what are you sewing these days? I love my Patina blouses too although I still want to make a couple of tweeks to them. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it so much 😊

[@tracyoconnor8045]

Love all your makes and your focus on making blouses in different fabrics for different looks. These makes I am sure will be a welcome distraction for you as you wait for your health results. Wishing you the very best, and praying for a good health result for you. Take care. Xx

[@pollysews]

Hey Tracy! Thank you so much for your positive words! I appreciate you taking the time to watch my channel and commenting! ❤️

[@deannemarino1382]

You are there for your girl - hopefully she's another support as you deal with the wait on the dreaded C. Praying for you and sending healing vibes!

[@pollysews]

Hi Deanne! Thanks for your prayers and positive healing vibes! It truly means a lot to me.

[@sarahodonnell6957]

As I was watching you I was just finishing my third rhapsody blouse. I love them 2 more to go. Take care and best luck with your procedure and treatment. I am a breast cancer survivor. 🙏💚❤️💜💙

[@pollysews]

Mad respect on being a breast cancer survivor, Sarah!!! That must have been a difficult time❤️ And wow, three Rhapsody blouses; I can't wait to get a couple sewn up. Thank you for your support. It very much appreciated.

[@Antonia-ct8xc]

Hi Carol. The Patina blouses do look different with the different fabrics and necklines; it's an interesting study in how they sew up -- thanks for bringing us along on the adventure. I'm on a more limping-along journey with the Rhapsody Blouse. I used cheapy cotton to make a fitting muslin after I'd taken a pattern off the combined shoulder seam area from a self-drafted vest pattern to use to modify the Rhapsody wrap-over-to-front back yoke for forward shoulders and rounded back. I have a narrow high bust and a C sewing cup full bust. What I found with the pattern was the front gathers gave lots of extra fabric at my high bust where I didn't need it and the curved side seams didn't take in enough fabric below the full bust but still pulled on the larger-size hip area. The sleeves are drafted with a short sleeve cap height. This resulted in the tulip sleeves having a vertical pleat in the way they hung on me. These issues might be solved with a more drapey fabric and a less old and battered body than mine. Since I wanted to use light cotton woven fabrics, I ended up adding diagonal bust darts ending at the side seams. I also took out the front gathers, redesigned the neckline to eliminate the ties and V-notch, increased the sleeve cap height along with lowering the underarm seam and taking out some of the sleeve width, made the back yoke much shorter without a wrap around to the front, and curved the yoke to deal with the upper rounded back. I also changed the back box pleat to gathers to deal with rounded back at shoulder blade level. In other words, not much is left of the original pattern design. This is my usual course when trying to fit blouses unless I'm working with knits. Your process sounds so much more streamlined and fun! I'll be sending you healing energy and hopes that your return to good health goes smoothly, Antonia

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Praying for good test results.

[@pollysews]

Thank you, Christine ❤️

[@jamilehbaadarani4740]

So sorry to hear about your health issues ,my prayers go to u ,love your fabrics for the aria dress and rhapsody top ,take care

[@pollysews]

Thank you so much Jamiileh. I'm looking forward to making the Aria dress with the bathing suit fabric! I'll let you know how it turns out. Are you working on any sewing projects at the moment?

[@Seejaysew]

You have been busy! The Patina blouses are gorgeous - I love the fabrics. For the Sagebrush top, do you have any extra fabric that you could insert down the sides? With such a small check, I don’t think it would be too noticeable. I am currently working on my 5th Rhapsody blouse. In a couple of versions I have left off the ties and made a neck facing, which gives the neck a nice structure. I find sewing is such a good therapy and hope it helps you through the rough times. Wishing you all the best.

[@pollysews]

Thank you Jane! Wow, your 5th Rhapsody! I've heard so many positive comments about the Rhapsody. I can't believe it's taken me this long to start making one. What type of fabrics do did you use on your versions?

[@Seejaysew]

@@pollysews Hi Carol, I’ve made 2 out of a very soft rayon and 3 out of a silky polyester. I’m not keen on polyester, but I’m trying to use up a stash inherited from my mother. Actually the silky polyester has the nicest drape! I think I want to try a voile next.

[@adriennefranklin5986]

Love your patinas! Its a great idea to do a series woth all different iterations of the pattern. I want to try the Patina. Im not sure about the sagebrush for me but it looks great on you! It reminds me of the Marnie pattern. Praying for good test results and healing.

[@pollysews]

Hi Adrienne! When I first say the Marnie I thought it looked like the Sagebrush too! My Sagebrush is a bit too small so I'd like to give it another try just one size up. But I'm thinking the making mine sleeveless. I hope you try the Patina. I think it's a fun pattern. It's enjoyable to make and the collar just looks great on everyone who wears it. Thanks for your prayers - I truly appreciate them - and you!

[@janfranklin2114]

I’m on the same journey as with the Patina Blouse and the Sagebrush! I’m getting ready to sew up my second Patina. I’m going to make the short sleeve and for interest, adding a cut that’s bias bound with a band at the hem and a button- kinda like a cuff but on the center of the sleeve. I’m using a Japanese cotton that definitely has body but I think it’s going to be nice. My first Patina was really a toile, the fabric has a lot of drape, but awful polyester stuff that was gifted to me. I got the Sagebrush recently, same reason a you 😂 not knowing if it was for me. I love how yours is looking, and I have the same fabric in a light blue. Sorry life has thrown you a curve ball, but it sounds like the doctors are being through. Sending best wishes and healing energy (prayers). Thanks for sharing and I’ll keep a lookout for your next post.

[@pollysews]

Thanks Jan! The band and button on the sleeve of your Patina sounds gorgeous! I totally knew what you were talking about and think that's a great idea. I plan on making another Sagebrush because even though the one I'm making now isn't a perfect fit, I have to say, I really like the pattern. I'll be starting on a second one soon. Let me know how yours turns out. If you feel comfortable doing so, maybe send a picture of your Patina to the [e-mail] email when you're done? I'd love to see how your sleeves turn out! Thank you for watching and commenting - much appreciated!!!

[@sewmuchsewing]

Hi Carol you crack me up 😂😂😂😂 going deep with the Rhapsody Blouse? 9 of 'em? 😂😂😂😂 Oh man 😁. But I can't wait to see them! Would you consider the awesome lemon fabric as one of the versions? I see what you mean about the black base not necessarily being 'summery' but I really think it could work. I'm really sorry you are having more health worries, it must not be a good time for you right now. My fingers are crossed for you and I'm sending you my love ❤❤❤❤❤

[@pollysews]

Hi Catherine! I so (sew) love hearing from you. Yep - 9 Rhapsody Blouses; at least that's the plan. I don't know about using the lemon fabric for one of them. I thought about it too but I'm worried it has a little bit too much structure and the pattern says to use flowy fabric with drape. But the whole idea of making all the versions is to use different fabrics and see how they turn out. So I might just give it a try! I know life will be fine no matter what the results of my biopsy so I'm staying pretty positive. Thanks for your support - I appreciate you!

[@sewmuchsewing]

@@pollysews 🥰

[@bridgetconner2392]

I plan to stop taking short cuts too!!

[@pollysews]

Hi Bridget! I hope you find it easier to stop taking short cuts than I do - lol. Actually, I've gotten better at slowing down and doing things right. I find I enjoy the process more too. Cheers!

[@mysewingpractice]

I love your Patina blouses! You have excellent taste in fabric. I have made two recently without the collar, and I like them. Wearing Spring woven blouses is so fresh, do you agree?

[@pollysews]

Hey there! I totally agree that wearing Spring woven blouses feel so fresh! I was actually thinking that to myself and you came out and said it! I think the Patina without the collar is a fantastic idea. Did you just leave off the collar and sew using the facing? I think I might give that a try - if you don't mind me copying you.

[@kerstinshadbolt1003]

I am so sorry about your health concerns and your daughter's situation. I pray that you will stay positive and at peace and that both will be resolved quickly. So glad that you have carried on sewing, sticking to your plan for blouses.They will all be beautiful! 🙏❤🌷

[@pollysews]

Thank you Kerstin. I appreciate your kind words and you taking the time to comment. I always enjoy hearing from you and you always have such great sewing insight and advice. I'm having fun making all these blouses. I love textiles so I find it really satisfying to make something in 2 or 3 different fabrics just to see how it affects the finished garment. It's a little silly, but I do find it interesting and fun. I know life will be fine - it's just might be a little more inconvenient for a while; but I guess that's life - lol!

[@pennysews009]

Instead of recutting the pattern, you could just add seam allowance when actually cutting the fabric couldn't you?.. love the second Patina blouse. The Rhapsody is a w onderful top, you will fa ll into the Rhapsody trap.

[@janfranklin2114]

That’s exactly what I was going to say. I chalk my cutting line and I find it’s super easy and accurate.

[@pollysews]

Hi Mary! That's a great idea about cutting out the Patina. It makes so much more sense than tracing a new pattern. You are yet another person who has nothing but great things to say about the Rhapsody. I'm looking forward to making a few! Thanks!!